Friday, July 15, 2016

It's usually chippy and the memories are fresh. More of the same this week?

By: James CormackIndy Eleven overcame a lengthy delay and severe weather on Wednesday night to record their second win of the fall season over Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Thunderstorms pushed back the kick off until after 10pm and the game ended in the small hours of Thursday morning.

Indy dominated the Strikers scoring three times in the first half, goals by Éamon Zayed, Duke Lacroix and Greg Janicki within the first 27 minutes were enough to ensure back to back wins. This result also equals the current NASL's undefeated streak record. Indy Eleven can go one step further and set a new record in Minnesota on Saturday night. If there are records to be broken then go ahead and break them!

This match will also close out the series with Minnesota for 2016, the two teams have met twice already this year with Indy Eleven winning 4-2 and 1-0 at Carroll Stadium. As mentioned last week there has never been a draw between these two teams, in the previous eight encounters each team has four wins.

"No team wants to lose three out of three games, we have to find that little crack in their confidence and certainly getting the first goal will be important." - Tim Hankinson.

A heavily delayed midweek game is probably not the ideal preparation for Indy going into their third game in seven days. Minnesota did not play on Wednesday and enjoy a weeks rest before welcoming the Spring Champions. However there is more pressure on Minnesota to win this game than there is on Indy.

Back to back wins have put Indy Eleven in second place in both the Fall and combined season standing, four points ahead of Minnesota in Fall table and six in combined. Of course Indy don't need to worry about making the playoffs but winning Fall means we host the final if we qualify and taking any points away from Minnesota now helps even if we only gain one. We can worry about New York Cosmos and everyone else later.

"In front of their home support, I can't wait, for me I am really looking forward to it, and I am sure the rest of the guys are as well." - Éamon Zayed

Any damage to report.... ?

Despite a few hours of lost sleep and having had to play a midweek game where their opponents have not, Indy Eleven comes into this game possibly better than they did before the win against Minnesota or Fort Lauderdale this week.

Unlike Tiago Calvano who will miss the game for Minnesota due to his red card in Indy last week, our midweek game against the Strikers allowed Lovel Palmer to serve his one game suspension and he will be back in contention. Calvano being missing is not good for Minnesota, they are already missing key players. Missing a central defender is the last thing they need right now.

If you didn't notice on Wednesday, Gerardo Torrado is back and available for selection, assuming a place on the bench in midweek. It's a good luxury to have when you are spoiled for choice and don't have to play a hugely experienced international but know he is there when needed. Indy Eleven pulled out a 3-0 win with Omar Gordon, Gerardo and Siniša Ubiparipovič on the bench and Colin Falvey sidelined, think about that.

Speaking of Colin Falvey it is unlikely again that he will be risked, as long as we are winning I would agree with not bringing him in too early and allow him to heal fully, we have a long fall season to go and Colin is going to be vital to that and the post season.

Outside of that only other doubt remains Jair Reinoso, the rest of the roster are healthy and ready to go.

Players to watch...

Top scorers in 2016 from NASL Official.

Again Éamon Zayed and Christian Ramirez, thanks to a penalty save last Saturday and a goal from Zayed on Wednesday there is only a single goal between the top two in the race for the Golden Boot. Éamon will be looking to pull it back even more, and maybe Busch can help with that again. Also watch out for Nemanja Vukovic, isn't it about time he scored again?

If tempers get frayed watch out for Juliano Vicentini, a solid player but can be a bit of a loose canon with his temper, we know Hankinson doesn't mind a bit of fire but I think he will be asking our boys to avoid the cards this week. Also will be interesting to see how Sammy N'Djock holds up with a changed defense in front of him, he looked pretty shaky in our first encounter and caught off his line in the second, definitely needs to be tested early and often.

If you love a good card game consider signing up for Permanent Relegation's annual Euchre tournament the Game of Kings II, which will help raise more money. If you are interested, you can find out more info and SIGN UP HERE. Signups have been extended through the weekend and the tournament include players, staff, members of the media and supporters and takes place this coming Wednesday at Chatham Tap in Fishers, it's fun that you just don't want to miss!

Thanks to kind donations at Saturday's BYB Tailgate we have now reached 25% of our goal, but we are still a long way off. Please donate and share amongst friends and help us reach our target by the end of the fall season.